Hall of Fame
Ray Ellis was an integral member of the glory days of Shippensburg Football in the 1950s under legendary coach Vinton Rambo, serving as a team captain as a senior. The Raiders went 27-4-1 during his career, including undefeated records in 1952 and 1953.
Ellis was the cornerstone on both offense and defense on Shippensburg’s first undefeated team in 1952, where he played fullback on offense and linebacker on defense. The 1952 team led all colleges in Pennsylvania in offensive scoring (38.0 points per game) and in defensive points allowed (2.8 PPG). The team also ranked fourth in the nation in total defense (142.4 yards allowed per game).
In 1953, Ellis was elected co-captain of the team along with current Shippensburg Hall of Famer Charles “Chuck” Burnheimer (OT/DT). Along with Burnheimer, Ellis led Shippensburg to a second straight undefeated season. The 1953 offense led all colleges in Pennsylvania in scoring for a second straight year (37.4 points per game) and ranked second in defensive points allowed per game (4.4 points per game). Furthermore, the 1953 team was the first college football team to lead the nation in rushing defense, passing defense and total defense in the same year.
His efforts resulted in All-Pennsylvania Conference honors in 1953 as a fullback.
Ellis played a critical role in what would become the longest winning streak (20 games) in the history of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. The streak started during the final two games of his sophomore season and did not end until the season after his graduation in 1954.
Head Coach Vinton Rambo was quoted in regards to Ellis, saying, “Ray was responsible for most of the tackles on our No. 1-nationally ranked defense. He was an outstanding blocker and did all our punting. He broke several long touchdown runs from the fullback position.”
Ellis also competed in track & field in the high hurdles. As a senior, he placed third in the 120-yard high hurdles and fifth in the 220-yard low hurdles.
Before attending Shippensburg in 1950, Ellis entered the U.S. Navy six months after his high school graduation. He spent a year on active duty as an aviation machinist mate, then joined the reserves. During his time as a Shippensburg student, Ellis was the president of the Student Council, a member of Phi Sigma Chi fraternity, president of the Men’s Athletic Association and president of the Varsity Club. He was listed in Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges.
Ellis majored in geography, social studies and English and graduated in 1954. He signed a contract and earned a tryout with the NFL’s Baltimore Colts. Soon after, he began teaching in Delaware before moving to Gettysburg where he became a high school social studies teacher. In the summer of 1959, Ellis resigned his position at Gettysburg and reentered active naval service. By then a commissioned officer, he traveled extensively and held various assignments, including a naval advisership to Taiwan. He volunteered to serve in Vietnam and arrived in the country in spring 1965.
Ellis was killed in action in Vietnam in 1965 while serving America in the war effort. He was awarded the Silver Star for valor by the US Navy. He was awarded the National Order, Fifth Class and Gallantry Cross with Palm by the South Vietnamese government, and was the first Vietnam veteran to be buried at Gettysburg National Cemetery.
In 1972, Dr. John E. Hubley, Vice President of Student Affairs, announced the establishment of the Ray Ellis Fighting Heart Award. It is presented annually to an SU football player who excels in a host of criteria: specifically, for their overall contribution to the team, their character, their courage, their citizenship, and their academic achievement. Ellis was inducted into the Shippensburg University Army ROTC Hall of Fame in 2001.
He married his wife, Doris Malamos (class of 1950), in 1953. Doris passed away in 1990. The couple had one daughter, Laura, born in 1954.
